top of page

Christian Counseling in Sarasota, FL

Guiding individuals and couples toward emotional and spiritual renewal through biblical principles and clinically sound counseling.

Veryfiedd.png
IMG_3016_edited.png
Amen_edited_edited.png
D3C1C726-D72E-4D1F-94AA-09372B512336.png
IMG_1553.jpeg
7A8F57BB-0816-4167-825F-FEDAB8697EFC.png
843A4029-730C-4961-8F5D-42BE2725F51A_edi

Are You Struggling with Personal or Marital Challenges?

  • Do you feel disconnected in your marriage?

  • Are past wounds and emotional struggles keeping you from moving forward?

  • Have traditional counseling methods failed to address your spiritual and emotional needs?

You’re not alone. Relationships and personal struggles can be overwhelming, but healing is possible.

At Relational Skills, we offer faith-based counseling that blends biblical wisdom with clinically sound therapy techniques to help you restore emotional and relational health. Even if you’ve never considered yourself a person of faith, the foundation of biblical wisdom is where healing is found.

We believe healing happens when faith meets practical guidance. 

Our approach combines:

Let us help you navigate your challenges with wisdom, faith, and proven strategies.

Christian Counseling in Minneapolis, MN_edited.jpg

How It Works

Personalized Counseling Services to Fit Your Needs

We provide a range of faith-based counseling services tailored to individuals, couples, and families seeking emotional and spiritual growth.

Real Stories, Real Healing

“Our marriage was at a breaking point, but thanks to Relational Skills, we’ve found a new beginning. Their faith-centered approach gave us the tools to rebuild our connection.”

T.png

Teresa

🌟 "My husband and I are a blended family and we were looking for ways to improve all that comes with that. We were so thankful to find Anita and Pepe at Relational Skills and their Marriage Mediation program. They gave us a safe space, guidance, and strategies that have given us the best"
T.png

Terecita

🌟 "Anita has helped me overcome trauma and even habits that I thought I was never going to be able to get through! Her patience, love and genuineness is impeccable. Thank you so much for everything. If anyone is thinking about it, please do not hesitate!"
V.png

Valerie

🌟 "Anita guided me with questions to help me get to the root of the issue, and using ART, I was able to erase and rewrite parts of my story to heal confusion and past pain. If you appreciate efficiency and thoroughness in healing, definitely schedule an appointment with Anita."

Meet Your Counselors: Dr. JM & Dr. Anita Arrunategui

With over 40 years of combined experience in counseling, ministry, and medicine, Drs. JM and Anita Arrunategui have helped countless individuals and couples find hope and renewal.

Having personally walked through marital struggles and healing, they understand firsthand the power of faith and professional guidance in restoring relationships.

Their mission is to:

  • Help individuals and couples find lasting healing through Christ-centered counseling.

  • Equip and train those called into the counseling ministry.

Heal Trauma and Break Free from Emotional Pain with A.R.T.

Accelerated Resolution Therapy (A.R.T.) is a cutting-edge, evidence-based therapy that helps individuals overcome trauma, anxiety, depression, and emotional distress quickly and effectively. Using eye movement techniques similar to EMDR, A.R.T. allows clients to process painful memories and replace them with positive images, often achieving significant breakthroughs in just a few sessions.

The ART of Rapid Recovery | Laney Rosenzweig | TEDxSpringfield

The ART of Rapid Recovery | Laney Rosenzweig | TEDxSpringfield

A professional Christian counselor combines their psychological expertise with their faith to provide biblical marriage advice. This type of counseling is quite beneficial for couples who want to resolve their issues and improve their relationship with a faith-based perspective.

Online Christian Counseling Services in Sarasota, FL

  • Love: Ephesians 5:25 instructs husbands to love their wives as Christ loved the church.

  • Respect: Peter 3:7 advises men to respect their wives and treat them with understanding.

  • Forgiveness: Matthew 6:14-15 encourages forgiveness, which is essential in resolving any marital conflict.

  • Commitment: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 emphasizes the importance of unity and commitment, stating that “two are better than one.”

Exploring Christian Couples Counseling in Sarasota, FL

  1. Effective communication training: This technique helps spouses express themselves honestly without hurting each other's feelings.

  2. Conflict resolution strategies: These strategies enable couples to solve problems effectively while maintaining mutual respect.

  3. Forgiveness exercises: They help couples let go of past hurts and foster a forgiving atmosphere in the relationship.

Let's take a look at a typical session's structure.

Session Structure

Description

Opening Prayer

The session begins with prayer, often inviting God's presence and wisdom into the counseling room.

Discussion

The couple discusses their issues or concerns openly and honestly under the guidance of the counselor.

Application of Biblical Principles

The counselor uses relevant scriptures and teachings from the Bible to address those issues or concerns.

Practical Advice & Techniques

The counselor provides practical advice for improving the relationship based on Bible teachings, also offering techniques to practice at home.

Closing Prayer

Ending the session with prayer, the counselor may ask God for guidance and strength for the couple to overcome their challenges.

Through their faith-based approach, Christian counselors provide insightful marriage advice that not only helps couples resolve current issues but also equips them with tools to address future challenges effectively.

What to Expect from Christian Family Counseling in Sarasota, FL

Christian counseling, sometimes referred to as biblical counseling, is a form of therapy that combines biblical teachings with psychological principles to address a variety of individual and relational challenges. If you're considering this type of counseling for the first time, it's normal to wonder what to expect. Here is an overview.

Primarily, Christian based counseling sessions are grounded in faith. The counselors utilize the Bible as a blueprint for guiding individuals towards healing and wholeness. The approach involves integrating spiritual wisdom with evidence-based therapeutic techniques.

  • Focus on Prayer: Prayer forms an integral part of these sessions. Counselors often start or end the sessions with prayer and encourage clients to cultivate a consistent prayer life.

  • Scriptural Guidance: Counselors use scripture to provide insight into situations, offer comfort and encouragement, and guide decision-making.

  • Spiritual Growth: Encouragement towards spiritual growth is another cornerstone of Christian based counseling sessions.

  • Assessment: An initial assessment is conducted to understand your particular concerns and establish your goals for therapy.

  • Treatment Planning: With your input, a personalized treatment plan is developed that aligns with your objectives.

  • Therapeutic Interventions: These can include cognitive-behavioral techniques, mindfulness practices, or other therapeutic strategies - all delivered within a Christian framework.

  • Open Communication: Your counselor will encourage you to share openly about all aspects of your life - mental, emotional, physical and spiritual.

  • Non-Judgmental Support: A good counselor will provide a welcoming atmosphere in which you can feel safe and accepted, regardless of your struggles or setbacks.

  • Greater Self-Awareness: Christian based counseling encourages introspection and self-examination.

  • Improved Coping Skills: You will learn healthier ways to manage stress, anxiety, depression or other challenges.

  • Strengthened Relationships: If you're attending sessions as a couple or family, you can expect improved communication and conflict resolution skills.

Remember that the pace and progress of therapy can depend on many factors, including your willingness to participate and the nature of the issues you're addressing. With time, patience, and dedication, Christian based counseling can provide a path towards healing and wholeness.

The Benefits of Participating in Christian Premarital Counseling in Sarasota, FL

One main benefit is the enhancement of communication skills. Counselors guide couples through conversations about sensitive topics that may be difficult to tackle alone, such as finances, family planning, or religious practices. This practice helps couples to understand each other's perspectives better and promotes open and respectful dialogue.

Through premarital counseling, both parties can discuss their individual expectations for marriage. The counselor can provide insight from a biblical perspective on topics including roles within the marriage, conflict resolution, and forgiveness.

Christian premarital counseling offers guidance based on biblical principles relevant to married life. The counselor can explain passages from scripture that pertain to patience, understanding, love, and respect within marriage.

Counselors provide strategies for managing disagreements productively and constructively in order to prevent harmful patterns from developing over time.

Christian premarital counseling also emphasizes strengthening the couple's spiritual bond with each other and with God.

Benefit

Description

Enhanced Communication Skills

Promote understanding and respectful dialogue

Understanding Marital Expectations

Insight into roles within marriage

Guidance on Biblical Principles

Explanation of scripture relevant to married life

Conflict Resolution Strategies

Manage disagreements productively

Strengthening Spiritual Bond

Enhance spiritual connection with spouse and God

Participating in Christian premarital counseling allows couples to begin their life journey together from an informed and intentional standpoint. It provides an opportunity for them to address any concerns or questions they may have and helps them to build a strong, loving, and spiritually grounded marriage. By engaging in this counseling, couples significantly increase their chances of building a lasting, satisfying marital relationship that will endure the tests of time and challenges that life throws at them.

Meet the Best Christian Marriage Therapist in Sarasota, FL

One of the primary benefits of couples counseling is that it can improve communication between partners. A counselor can teach effective communication strategies and provide a safe environment for couples to discuss their feelings, needs, and concerns openly.

  • Raising difficult topics: In a controlled setting guided by a trained professional, partners may find it easier to raise difficult subjects or express emotions they may have been avoiding.

  • Reducing conflict: Improved communication skills can help reduce misunderstandings and conflict within the relationship.

  • Better understanding: It enables partners to understand each other's perspectives better, fostering mutual respect and empathy.

Christian Marriage Counselors in Sarasota, FL: Helping Resolve Relationship Problems

Relationship problems ranging from infidelity, financial issues to disagreements about parenting can be worked through during couples counseling. The counselor guides the couple through their issues impartially, helping them find solutions or ways to cope.

  • Healing after infidelity: Counseling can provide the necessary support for couples trying to rebuild trust after an affair.

  • Financial disagreements: A counselor can facilitate productive discussions about money management, helping resolve financial disputes.

  • Parenting conflicts: Counseling sessions can help align parenting styles and expectations for couples with children.

Find Christian Counseling Near Me to Strengthen Your Relationships

Regular attendance at couples counseling sessions often results in stronger relationships. It allows both parties in the relationship to understand each other better and work together toward common goals.

  • Improved intimacy: By resolving conflicts and improving communication, counseling often leads to enhanced emotional connection and physical intimacy.

  • Developing skills: Couples develop skills that enhance their ability to handle future issues, strengthening their relationship resilience.

  • Shared goals: It can also help couples identify and work towards shared goals, enhancing their sense of companionship and mutual understanding.

Finding Christian Marriage Counseling Near Me

In addition to strengthening the relationship, individuals often experience personal growth through couples counseling. They gain better self-awareness, empathy skills, and understanding of their behavior patterns.

  • Self-awareness: Through therapy, individuals often develop a better understanding of their motivations and emotional reactions.

  • Empathy skills: It promotes the development of empathy by encouraging individuals to consider their partner's perspective.

  • Understanding patterns: The exploration of past relationships can help individuals recognize detrimental behavior patterns and work towards changing them.

The impact of couples counseling on relationships is multifaceted. It not only helps resolve existing issues but also equips couples with the tools needed to handle future conflict effectively. It's worth noting that results may vary depending on the specific characteristics of each couple and their commitment to the process. However, with consistent effort and openness to change, most couples find that counseling significantly improves their relationship quality.

Finding Christian Based Counseling Near Me

Counseling is a valuable tool that can help individuals navigate their mental health or personal issues. With the advent of technology, online counseling has become an increasingly popular choice due to its accessibility, affordability, and convenience. It is important to understand the importance and effectiveness of this modern approach to therapy.

  • Accessibility: Online counseling breaks geographical barriers making it accessible for everybody with an internet connection. This is particularly beneficial for those living in remote or rural areas where counseling services may not be readily available.

  • Convenience: Flexibility is another hallmark of online counseling. Clients can schedule sessions at times that are most convenient for them, including evenings and weekends.

  • Comfort: Some people may feel more comfortable speaking about their problems in the familiar environment of their home rather than in an unfamiliar office setting.

  • Anonymity: The perceived anonymity offered by online counseling can reduce the stigma associated with seeking mental health treatment.

Research indicates that online therapy can be just as effective as traditional face-to-face therapy.

  • A study published in the Journal of Psychological Disorders found that online cognitive behavioral therapy was just as efficient for major depression, panic disorder, social anxiety disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder.

  • Research from the University of Zurich found that online therapy even had some advantages over traditional methods with patients noting they were able to open up more.

  • The type and severity of the person’s mental health issues

  • The individual's comfort with technology

  • The rapport built between therapist and client

Factors

Efficacy

Type and severity of issues

Depends on the case

Comfort with technology

High

Rapport building

Medium

Online counseling has emerged as a significant mode of providing mental health care. Its importance lies in its ability to provide accessible, convenient and anonymous services. The effectiveness of online therapy is well-documented, showing promising results comparable to traditional in-person therapy. As our world continues to evolve digitally, it is likely that the utilization and acceptance of online counseling will continue to grow.

Ready to Take the First Step?

Don’t let unresolved struggles hold you back. Whether you need personal counseling, marriage support, or spiritual renewal, we are here to guide you.

Marriage Counseling

Thanks for submitting!

Be the first to know

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive news and updates.

Thanks for submitting!

  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Facebook
bottom of page